Six free eBook apps

Six free eBook apps every bibliophile must try

Business Standard brings you the most popular six eBook apps and what makes them tick

An increasing number of people are taking to eBooks for their daily dose of reading. Reading apps for smartphones and tablets have made it possible to carry entire libraries in one's pocket. For bibliophiles, this means one can snatch a glance at one’s current read wherever, whenever one feels like, without the compulsion to buy a dedicated eBook reader. 

Having said that, with the rapid proliferation of reading apps supporting a plethora of digital book formats, how do you know which app is best suited for your needs?

Here are six popular free e-book readers for your smartphone/tablet, and why you should use them:

 

Aldiko

 

This app supports a variety of formats, including Adobe digital rights management (DRM)-encrypted eBooks, which is useful if you've signed up for sites which share advanced proofs of books. It connects to Dropbox, which means even when installed across devices, all your books stay in one place. Aldiko offers a clean customisable interface, and lets you sort your collection by easy tags. The multiple book stores available are a welcome bonus. 

 

Kobo

 

Integrated with services from Canada-based Kobo, this reader app has quite a few unique features. Its ‘Reading Life’ tracks your reading statistics. There are badges for completing books, reading for long stretches and consecutive late-night reads. There is also the ability to comment on books and share memorable quotes, notes and dialogues across social media platforms, as you read.

 

Kindle 

 

Available across major platforms, Amazon’s Kindle app is fast and user-friendly. If you already have an Amazon account and have ever used a Kindle reader, one needs to just sign in. The app will sync your library, last page read, bookmarks, highlights, and notes between devices and platforms. Also, the new Kindle Unlimited programme gives you access to thousands of audiobooks and e-books for a monthly fee. However, its features remain fairly standard. 

 

Nook

 

Barnes and Nobles’ offering is notable for two features: A brilliant page turn animation and a massive collection of more than 4 million paid and free eBooks, magazines, comics, and other publications. The customisable settings are pretty standard, with options for syncing your preferences across devices and platforms. The Android version has received an interface refresh recently.
 

BitLit

 

BitLit is new, but has created ripples for its unique ability to help you digitise your actual book collection. Simply scan and upload a book’s cover and BitLit helps you find a free-to-download eBook version of it. The idea is innovative and cuts down on digitisation costs. However, with the app in its early stages of development, the user can encounter a few minor glitches. 

 

Rockstand

 

Rockstand caught our attention for its impressive all-round performance. A simple interface, cross-device syncing, multi-platform availability, a strong anti-piracy policy, a social reading network which lets users invite friends, share books and reading lists, and swap notes and feedback — Rockstand attempts to capture the best of the top reading apps. Additionally, its strikes a chord with the Indian audience, with its collection of texts in regional languages as well as a variety of educational guides, question papers and preparation material for major Indian government examinations. The app suffers a few lags though. But overall it is sure to impress the Indian smartphone user.

 

All the six apps are available on Android, iOS and Windows platforms.

 

Source | Business Standard (New Delhi July 7, 2015